The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1887-07-16
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER OF DEC-
LINATlON.
Executive MANSION,

WASHINGTON, ID. T.. july 4,iooI.>
Hon. David X Francis, Mayor and
Chairman My dear sir w hen 1 re-
ceived the extremely cordial ana Srati-
fying invitation from the citizens OF ST
Louis, rendered by number OF her
representative men. TO visit that CITY
during the national encampment OF the
Grand Army of the Republic, hau
been contemplating for some time the
acceptance OF the invitation from thst
organization to the same effect, and had
considered the pleasure which il would
afford me if il should be possible 10
meet not only members of the Grand
Army, but the people of St. Louis and
other cities in the west which the Ccca-
siou would give me ali opportunity: TO
visit. The eXactlOns Of my public du-
ties 1 lelt to be so uncertain, however,
that when first confronted by the dele
CATION of which YOU were the head
| expected to do no more at that time tban
| to promise the consideration OF the dou-
bic invitation rendered me, and express
the pleasure it would give me to accept
the same thereafter if possible.
But the cordiality and sincerity OF
YOUR presentation, reinforced by the
hcartiness of the people who surround
ed YOU, so impressed me that l could
not resist the feeling which prompted
me to assure you on the spot that
I would be with you and the Grand
Army of the Republic at the time deslg-
mated, if nothing happened in the mean
time to absolutely prevent my leaving
Washington.
Immediately upon the public an
nouncement of this conclusion, express
sions emanating from certain important
members of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and increasing in volume
and virnlence, constrained me to review
my acceptance of these Invitations.
The expressions referred to go to the
extent OF declaring that would be an
unwecome guest ut the time and place
of the National Encampment. This
, statement is based, as we'll as can
Judge, upon certain official acts of mine
involving important public Interests,
: done under the restraints and obllga-
tions of my oath OF Office, which do not
appear to accord with the wishes OF
some members OF the Grand Army OF
the Republic.
I refuse TO believe that this organiza-
: ton, founded upon patriotic ideas.
. composed very largely Of men entitled
b to lasting honor and consideration, and
whose crowning glory il should be
{, that thew are American citizens as well
as veteran soldiers, deems il part OF
: its mission to compass any object or
purpose by attempting TO intimidate
the executive or coerCe those charged
d with making and executing the laws.
6 And vet the expressions to which L
:. have referred indicate such q preva-
l. lence OF unfriendly feeling and such q
If menace to an occasion which should be
harmonious, peaceful and cordial, that
: they cannot be ignored.
e beg You to understand that am
not conscious of any act of mine which
:, should make me fear to meet the Grand
II Army of the Republic or any other
assemblage of my fellow citizens. The
IS account OF my official stewardship Is
r always ready for presentation 10 my
}. ruuntrymen / should not be frank II
?, l failed to confess, while dlsclalmiDg
!, all resentment, that have been hurt
d by the unworthy and wanton attacks
y upon me growing out of this matter,
Z, and the reckless manner in which my
er actions and motives have been misrep-
r, resented both publicly aud privately,
t. for which, however, the Grand Army
I'd of the Republic, as body, is by no
means responsible.
re The threats of personal violence and
it. harm in case 1 undertake the trip in
j., question, which scores of misguided
s, men under the stimulation OF excited
II feeling have made, are not even cOnsid
B; cred: Rather than abandon my visit te
l. the west and disappOint your citizent
r | might, it l alone were concerned
D., submit to the insult, to which it is quite
e, openly asserted l would be helplessly
II, subjected if present at the encanpment
is, but should bear with me there thu
,s, peoples highest office, the dignity ol
V. which l must protect, and l believe
B that neither the Grand Army of th'
Ii, Republic as an organization nor any
&, thing like majority OF it's member
II, would ever encourage any scandal0u
8; attack upon it. If, however, among
D., the membership of this body there an
y, some as certainly seems to be the case
rs, determineds 10 denounce me and m!
,e, official acts eat the National Encamp
It ment believe they should be permit.
n, ted to do SO, unrestrained by my pres
4 ence rs guest of their organization Ol
n as a guest of the hOspitable city II
n, which their meeting is held. A mum
rs. ber of Grand Army posts have signifiet
V. their intention, am informed, to re
W main away from the encampment ii
IL, case visit the city at that tune. With
IN, ont considering the merit of such al
IN excnse feel that ought not to be tn
y. cause OF such non attendance. I'M
se, time and place of the encampmen
or were fixed long before my invitation
BE-, were received. Those desirOus to par
NJ ticipate in its proceedings should b
er, first regarded, and nothing should b
5; permitted to interfere With their inter
Is. tentions. sss- ~ ~
IN Another consideration of more iim
III, portance than all others remains to b
les noticed. The TACT was referred to b
IN, you when you verbally presented th
re, invitation of the citizens of st. LOui
RS that the coming encampment of th
Fl; Grand Army of the Republic would b
II. the first held in southern state.
'ah suppose this fact was mentioned as
ns, pleasing incident of the fraternal feel
10. ing fast gaining ground throughout th
50. entire land and hailed by every patrlO
ent ic citizen as an earnest that the UniO
has really and in fact been saved
lp- sentiment and spirit, with all the benz
se. fits it vouchsates to united people,,
Die, cannot rid myself OF the belief o.
the least discord on this prOpitiul
me casiOn might retard the progress.
la- sentiment of common brothq
which the Grand Army of the Beb1'
$50 lie has so good an opportunity to IL
lrt- crease and foster. | certainly ougl
l, not TO be the cause of such discord
any event or upon any pretext.
ner seems to me that you and the citizens
: Of St. Louis are entitled to this unreser'
w. ed statement of the conditions whiG
urt have constrained me to torego my CO
md templsted visit and to withdraw n
ler- acceptance of your invitation.
My presence in your city at the tin
you have indicated can be of but lit
moment compared with the importan
of a cordial and harmonious entertsl
ment of your other guests. | assu
You that abandon my plan witho
lay, the least personal feeling or regrs